Claimed by the Villainess’s Brother

Chapter 9

“So, how did you think you did on the test?” Elena asked as we headed towards the school gardens, eager to catch some sun during our break.

I let out a heavy dramatic sigh. “Honestly, I think I bombed it.”

Elena chuckled, giving me a sidelong glance. “You always say that. And you know people who say that usually end up doing the best.”

“I’m serious, though!” I insisted.

“And I don’t believe you.”

“I’m pretty sure I missed a bunch of questions.”

Elena rolled her eyes playfully. “Come on, Coline. You always get top grades. You’re just being anxious over nothing.”

I grinned, knowing she was right. “Yeah, yeah. But it’s fun to mess with you a bit. I’m pretty sure I didn’t do as well as you though.”

“You’re so full of it,” Elena muttered with a smile before she nudged me with her shoulder. “And hey, if it makes you feel any better, I think I might have messed up a few things too. We can both be nervous wrecks together.”

I laughed. “That’s true. At least we’re in this together.”

“Well, hello there.”

I looked up to the owner of the cheerful voice to see our path abruptly blocked by Luna and her large entourage. My stomach sank, and my smile faded.

Before we could react, two of Luna’s minions surged forward, pushing me back and pinning me against a tree. I struggled against their hold, my protests ignored by the hands gripping my arms. My heart raced as I tried to free myself, but their grip was unyielding. I could barely make out Elena’s anxious face as she was left isolated in the center, surrounded by Luna’s friends, who began to close in on her.

Luna stood at the forefront, her icy glare fixed on Elena, eyes blazing with anger. She pointed an accusatory finger at Elena.

“So, you think you can just waltz in and take everything that belongs to me?” Luna spat, her voice dripping with contempt. “Not only did you steal Jonathan from me, but you also snatched my spot in the scholastic contest. How dare you?”

Elena met Luna’s gaze calmly, though I saw a flicker of concern for me in her eyes as they darted towards me. “I didn’t steal anything. I earned my place in the contest fair and square.”

“Fair and square?” Luna’s voice rose in outrage. “You think you’re so perfect, don’t you? Just because you played by the rules doesn’t mean you deserve what you took from me!”

“I didn’t take anything from you,” she responded in a firm tone. “The contest was open to everyone, and I worked hard for my spot.”

Luna’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Is that your excuse? That you just ‘worked hard’ and that’s why everything’s falling into your lap?”

“It’s not an excuse,” Elena continued to say calmly, though her body had stiffened with tension. “It’s the truth. I just did my best.”

“You make it sound so noble,” Luna said with a mocking sweetness. “You think you’re so much better than everyone else. You waltz into the contest and steal my spot, and now you have Jonathan’s attention. What makes you think you deserve any of it?”

“I don’t think I’m better than anyone, okay?” Elena said, exasperation creeping into her tone. “And as for Jonathan, I’ve told you before. I didn’t steal him from you.”

Luna’s expression twisted into one of disbelief. “Is Jonathan’s attention going to your head? Just because he’s been a little nice to you?”

“You make it sound like I deliberately tried to make him notice me when I didn’t!”

“Is that so?” Luna sneered. “Just because you say it doesn’t make it true. Is it fun for you to play the innocent victim? To take everything I’ve worked for? Have you already forgotten your place?”

“Oh, why can’t you ever listen?” Elena pleaded. “Tell me. Is it fun for you to mess with everyone’s lives?”

“It is,” Luna said, lifting her chin in a haughty manner. “And I don’t want you ruining my fun.”

Elena’s face flushed with frustration. “You know, the more aggressive a person is, the deeper their scars and insecurities run.”

Luna began to laugh mockingly.

Then, in a sudden, violent motion, she slapped Elena hard across the face.

The impact was jarring, and I screamed.

“You b***h!” I tried to break free and help Elena, but every time I made progress, their grip tightened. “You crazy, psycho!”

Luna’s face twisted with rage. “How dare you take that attitude with me?” she snapped, swinging her hand back to strike Elena again.

My heart dropped.

“Stop!” I shouted.

But just before Luna’s palm could make contact, someone intervened. A strong grip seized her wrist, halting her hand in midair.

My lips parted in surprise.

“Lucas.” Luna’s jaw clenched as she glared at her brother. “What are you doing here?”

“Come now, sister,” Lucas murmured, his voice a chilling whisper. “People have phones with cameras now and you’re out in the open. Let’s not make a mess out of things now, hm?”

Luna’s face twisted with frustration as she clenched her jaw, her gaze flicking to the growing crowd that had gathered. With a fierce jerk, she pulled her hand away from Lucas’s grasp.

“Remember our conversation,” she hissed, her voice low and dangerous.

Lucas met her gaze steadily. “This isn’t the way to handle it.”

The air between them crackled with palpable tension, each word a sharp blade in their silent standoff. The crowd, including myself, felt the weight of their conflict, the atmosphere thick with unease.

At that moment, Jonathan appeared at the edge of the throng, his eyes scanning the scene with growing alarm.

“What’s going on?” he demanded, his voice sharp and commanding. His gaze fell on Elena, who was cradling her red cheek. In a flash, he was at her side, his face a storm of black fury. “What happened to you?”

Elena’s face was flushed with a mix of pain and shock. “Nothing.”

His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean nothing? What happened to your face?”

“It’s nothing, Jonathan,” she replied, trying to sound strong, but her voice trembled. “I’m fine.”

But Jonathan didn’t believe her.

His gaze turned to Luna, darkening with anger. “What have you done this time, Luna?” he asked, his voice a low, dangerous growl.

Luna’s indignation was immediate and fierce. “Me? What about her?” she snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at Elena. “She’s the one who’s been flaunting everything, taking what doesn’t belong to her. I’m just standing up for what’s right!”

Jonathan’s expression twisted in disbelief and anger. “Standing up for what’s right? Is that what you call this? Hurting her?”

“You don’t understand! She’s been getting in my way for months, taking the things I worked for, and now she’s trying to steal my spotlight.”

Jonathan’s jaw clenched. “And you think attacking her is the solution? You’ve crossed a line, Luna.”

Luna’s voice was laced with a cold, haughty arrogance. “You don’t understand. I’m doing this for you, Jonathan.”

“That’s bullsh*t,” he shot back. “You’re doing this only for yourself.”

“Why can’t you understand that siding with her is a mistake?” she demanded in frustration. “She’s playing a game, and you keep falling for it.”

“Let’s go,” Lucas whispered in my ear, and I realized Luna’s sycophants who’d been keeping hold of me had disappeared.

Grasping my hand, he began to pull me away. I weakly protested against his grip, trying to pull away.

“Elena needs me,” I said, my voice trembling with concern.

His lips twisted into a dark chuckle. “Elena has Jonathan to take care of her. She’ll be fine.”

Though I had no idea where Lucas intended to take me, I reluctantly let him lead me away. Because despite the warmth of his grip, there was something menacing about his demeanor, the eerie, unspoken threat in his eyes making me feel like I had no other choice.

As if resisting would only make things worse.